Theses and Dissertations
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Item Conserving Natural Heritage Through Genetic Assessment : The Case of Snow Leopards in Ladakh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Vishnuvardhan; Jhala, Y.V.; Srinivas, YellapuNatural world heritage sites are landscapes that sustain rare ecological processes, provide crucial habitats for the survival of many iconic species of significance and provide a wealth of ecosystem services. A part of India’s natural heritage lies m its youngest landscape, the Himalayas. This natural heritage is an asset in itself due to its immense intrinsic values. Snow leopard, an elusive inhabitant of the cold desert represents an important cultural and ecological symbol of the Central and south Asian mountain systems and acts as a flagship as well as an umbrella species. This study has been designed to assess the genetic status of this vulnerable species distributed across the union territory of Ladakh using non-invasive genetic methods. The study site comprised of four distinct regions, Hemis-Leh, Kargil, Changthang and Nubra. Putative snow leopard scat samples (N=391) were collected from the study area. DNA was extracted from all the samples and a 148 bp Mt-DNA region was amplified with a carnivore specific primer. Successfully amplified samples were sequenced for species identification. From the 95 snow leopard positive samples 56 individuals were identified using a panel of 10 microsatellites. Sex identification was also done by using AMELY gene and results showed male biased sex ratio in Ladakh. PIDsib value was 3.8x1 O’4 was indicative of sufficient power of the microsatellite panel to discriminate between siblings in a population of 10,000 snow leopards. This study provides a baseline for future comparisons since increased anthropogenic development projects may fragment this contiguous population. Genetic integrity and large gene pools are essential for long term viability of species especially in the advent of climate change and anthropogenic modifications. This study using genetic markers on the snow leopard exemplifies the use of this important tool for natural heritage management and conservationItem Ecology of the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) in Kachchh, Gujarat, with reference to resource selection in an agro-pastoral landscape.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Dutta, Sutirtha; Jhala, Y.V.; Rahmani, Asad R.The Great Indian Bustard is an obligate grassland bird endemic to this region with a global population of only about 300 birds. Present study is based on Species's status, resource selection, behavioual aspects and socio-ecological context to reformate viable bustard conservation strategies. The study was conducted during 2007-11 in SW Kachchh (Gujarat, India)Item Has conservation gone to the dogs? : ecological aspects of free ranging dogs of the Thar(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Mohandas, Monisha S.; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar; Dutta, SutirthaOne of the few mammals to have a near-global distribution, dogs (Canis familiaris) are an introduced mammalian predator. Dogs have contributed to 11 vertebrate extinctions and are a potential threat to 188 threatened species globally. This study investigates population sizes, ranging patterns, behavioural activity, and resource utilisation of free-ranging dogs in Thar landscape, Rajasthan. 2. Using double sampling framework, I calibrated effort-standardized counts (C) with mark-recapture based abundances (𝑁̂) that was used to estimate dog abundances within human habitation. Landscape-scale dog abundance was estimated using vehicle transect based distance sampling. Home ranges of nine free-ranging dogs was determined using locations from radio-telemetry. Resource use was quantified as feeding durations on various food items based on continuous monitoring. Resource availability was quantified as wild prey and livestock carcass density using line transect based distance sampling. This study provides information on important aspects of free-ranging dog ecology and their impacts in Thar landscape. It provides the basis required for implementing dog control programs in the landscape focusing on the flagship and critically endangered great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps.Item Evaluating the importance of scale in estimating tiger populations(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Contractor, Deep; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarPopulation estimation is one of the most important aspects of ecological studies as it plays a pivotal role in establishing priorities for species specific conservation and for delineating management practices. The tiger serves as a flagship and umbrella species for conservation efforts in the Indian subcontinent but, unfortunately wild tiger populations are on a drastic decline owing to factors like poaching, habitat fragmentation and degradation. In such a scenario reliable population estimates prove to be of vital importance. Camera trapping technique has been widely used for population estimation of cryptic carnivores including tigers. An attempt was made, through this study, to arrive at population and density estimates for Corbett NP through camera trapping technique following the mark recapture framework and answering some key questions regarding the importance of sampling effort required for arriving at such reliable estimates. A total of 7865 trap nights yielded 358 captures of 103 individual tigers within an intensively sampled area of (MCP) 420.86 km2. The estimated density of tiger was 16.01 (±1.6) per 100 km2 for RPSV, a new approach to calculate effectively sampled area. These estimates coincided with the estimates using full MMDM method. Also, the conventional method of using half MMDM seems to overestimate the density. The estimated sampling effort required for arriving at accurate and precise estimates of the true population in terms of sampling occasions amounted to 35 - 40 days. Evaluation of the influence of trap density revealed that high trap density (25 traps/km2 ca.) is required to get reliable estimates of population irrespective of the underlying population/density gradient.Item Evaluation of Pugmark Census Technique(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Sharma, Sandeep; Jhala, Y.V.Effective conservation strategies hinge on reliable population estimation technique. The potential of pugmark as a tool for population estimation of tigers was statistically examined. Eleven variables were selected and they were found effective in discrimination between individual tigers. These variables also discriminated between male & female in a population of 10 known tigers with 100% accuracy. This sex discrimination modal was found 97.4% accurate during validation over three new known tigers. The above said variables were also robust for pooling left and right pugmark. The soil depth of range 0.5 cm to 2 cm was found to be ideal for PI P preparation, since the 11 predictor variables were examined to be insensitive towards shape and size change of pugmark due to substrate condition. Classification of 17 individual tigers was achieved with 97% accuracy using stepwise discriminant function analysis. The statistical protocol developed in this study was found to be 100% accurate in predicting the correct number of tigers and correct classification of pugmarks, during validation in a blind set simulated 'census-exercise' from a known number of tigers (some of the track sets used for this analysis were not used for developing the DFA model). Variability in pugmark tracings due to tracer's effect was found to be significant. ANOVA (p-value 0.002 with df-1, df-53) results suggest a significant difference between variables measured from tracings and those from photos. However, DFA was unable to discriminate between tracings and photographs suggesting that either could be used in the model. Seventy five percent of the "experts" (n=8) were 100% correct in deciphering individual tigers in a blind test involving 15 tiger pugmarks from 7 individual tigers. The remaining 2 experts overestimated the tiger numbers by 1. The experts had an accuracy of 92% (sd = 7.8) in correct classification of tiger pugmarks. The other groups of respondents, ecologists (n=11) and lay persons (n=15) overestimated the tiger numbers and had an accuracy rate of 670/0 (sd = 24), and 640/0 (sd = 6) respectively in classifying pugmarks correctly. This study suggests that pugmarks can be used as a tool for population estimation of tigers, if subjected to analytical protocol developed here in within the constraints outlined.